Flycatcher.



G. S'PRENGEL.

Patented Mar. 11, 1919.

GHQ 1:11 e1 To all whom it may concern."

GUSTAV SPRENGEL, or WHEATON, ILLINOIS.

' FLYCA'I'CHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 11, 1919 Application filed August 30, 1917. Serial No. 188,967.

Be it known that I, GUs'rAv SPRENGEL, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at VVheaton, in the county of Dupage and State of Illinois, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Flycatchers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates tonew and useful Improvements in fly paper holders, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient device of this character, adapted to hold a piece of fly paper in upright position between a pair of clamping members, and means to prevent the 'fly catching fluid from dripping from the paper.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fly paper holding device of this character, that is formed of a pair of strands of coiled wire, having one of their ends connected to form a handle, while said strands are provided with clamping loops adjacent the opposite end adapted to receive apiece of fly paper therebetween. These loops form spring pressed clamping jaws, that are easily moved apart, but are normally held into engagement, to securely hold the fly catching paper therebetween. This device is also adapted to be used as a fly swatter, and will when so used catch the fly thereon and prevent the same from dropping to the ground.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a device of this character, which is easily and simply constructed, inexpensive to manufacture, and one which will be very eflicient in operation.

With these and numerous other objects in view, my invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts which will be herein referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of the holder; and Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the upper portion of said holder.

In describing my invention I shall refer to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The holder is formed of a pair of strands of coiled wire designated by the numerals 1 and 2, which have one of their ends 3 interengaged to form a handle, having a supporting base 4 secured to the lower end thereof. This supporting base 4 is formed with a flat bottom 5 adapted to rest on a table or the like, to hold the paper holder in upright position.

Intermediate the ends of the coiled strands of wire 1 and 2, are formed enlarged loop portions 6 and 7, having their outer extremities 8 connected and normally disposed adjacent each other. These loop portions 6 and 7 form clamping members, adapted to secure a piece of fly paper 9 therebetween. The clamping members 6 and 7 are easily moved apart, so that when it is necessary the fly papermaybe removed, and a new piece inserted therein.

The paper 9 that is inserted between the clamping loops 6 and 7, is coated on both sides with the fly catching fluid, and to pre:

vent the said fluid from running therefrom, the paper is provided with a fluid catching trough 10 securely held between the clampin members, and connected with the lower end thereof. This trough is likewise preferably formed of paper, and integral with the fly catching portion 9. The trough extends transversely, and is of sufficient length, to extend entirely across beneath the fly paper, in a single plane therewith.

Owing to the fact that the holder is formed of a pair of strands of coiled wire, the same may be very economically manufactured, and the clamping means employed, are only enlarged loops formed in said strands of wire. The interengaged ends of the .wire, form a handle therefor, and the support 4 is connected with the lower extremity thereof. This device is normally held in upright position, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the fly paper 9 being coated on opposite sides with the insect catching fluid, and therefore increasing the usefulness of the device. When positloned on a table or the like, there will be no likelihood of the same becoming overturned, as the support base 5 will securely hold it in position. The projecting ends 8 at the upper extremity of the holder, form handles, whereby the clamping members may be easily grasped and forced apart, when it is desired to remove the paper, to place a fresh piece in position.

The projecting trough 10 formed integral with the lower end of the paper, prevents the fluid from dripping thfilefrom onto the table, or the like upon which the holder is positioned. Thistype of hol ,er may be also used as afly swatterpr catcher, the same when be had, and while I have shown and described the device as embodying a specific structure, I desire that it be understood that such changes may be made in said structure as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having fully described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is

1. A fly paper holder of the class de- Gopies of scribed including an upright handle, a supporting base therefor, a pair of loop shaped clamping members on the upper end of said handle adapted to receive a piece of fly paper therebetween, and a trough carried between said clamping members and disposed beneath the lower edge of the fly paper to receive the fluid dripping therefrom.

2. A fly catcher including a handle, looped spring jaws on said handle, a trough carried GUSTAV SPRENGEL.

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